Stuart Alexander, front, is shown in Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004, in Oakland, Calif. Alexander, 43, the self-proclaimed ``sausage king,'' was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder Tuesday for shooting three meat inspectors to death on videotape and faces a possible death sentence. (AP Photo/The Oakland Tribune, Nick Lammers) LOCALS PLEASE CREDIT, MAGS OUT Metro#Metro#Chronicle#10/20/2004#ALL#5star##0422422029 less

Stuart Alexander, front, is shown in Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004, in Oakland, Calif. Alexander, 43, the self-proclaimed ``sausage king,'' was convicted of three counts of ... more

Photo: NICK LAMMERS

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Bill Shaline, 57, of Sacramento, Calif., is shown in this California Department of Motor Vehicles photo, date unknown. Shaline, an inspector with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, was one of three people shot and killed at a sausage factory in San Leandro, Calif., Wednesday, June 22, 2000, according to officials. Shaline was with the CDFA for more than 30 years. (AP Photo/ Calif. Dept of Motor Vehicles) CAT Metro#Metro#Chronicle#10/20/2004#ALL#5star##422060612 less

Bill Shaline, 57, of Sacramento, Calif., is shown in this California Department of Motor Vehicles photo, date unknown. Shaline, an inspector with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, was one of ... more

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This is a California Department of Motor Vehicles handout photograph of Thomas Walter Quadros, 52, of Hayward, who was one of three people killed Wednesday June 21, 2000, at a sausage factory in San Leandro, Calif. Quadros was a U.S. Department of Agriculture compliance officer. (AP Photo/Department of Motor Vehicles) CAT Metro#Metro#Chronicle#10/20/2004#ALL#5star##422060611 less

This is a California Department of Motor Vehicles handout photograph of Thomas Walter Quadros, 52, of Hayward, who was one of three people killed Wednesday June 21, 2000, at a sausage factory in San Leandro, ... more

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FILE--Jean Hillery, one of the three government meat inspectors shot to death Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at the Santos Linguisa sausage factory in San Leandro, Calif., is shown in a file photo, date unknown. The factory's owner, Stuart Alexander, 39, was booked on murder and attempted-murder charges. (AP Photo/Handout from family, via Oakland Tribune) CAT Metro#Metro#Chronicle#10/20/2004#ALL#5star##422060613 less

FILE--Jean Hillery, one of the three government meat inspectors shot to death Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at the Santos Linguisa sausage factory in San Leandro, Calif., is shown in a file photo, date unknown. The ... more

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OAKLAND / Guilty verdict in triple slaying / Sausage-maker in San Leandro could get death

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The self-proclaimed "sausage king" could face a death sentence after a jury convicted him Tuesday of three counts of first-degree murder in the videotaped slayings of three meat inspectors at his San Leandro factory four years ago.

Stuart Alexander, a one-time San Leandro mayoral candidate, showed no visible emotion as the verdicts were read in an Oakland courtroom. His mother, Shirley Eckhart, clutched tissues in her hand.

Alexander, 43, was found guilty of murdering U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspectors Jean Hillery, 56, and Tom Quadros, 52, and state Inspector Bill Shaline, 57, in the rampage on June 21, 2000.

The owner of Santos Linguisa Factory, who boasted to friends that he was the "sausage king" and couldn't be told what to do, had become increasingly upset by the inspectors' repeated visits and killed them as they tried to cite him for allegedly selling sausage without government approval.

He was also convicted of attempted murder for chasing after and firing five shots at state Inspector Earl Willis, 51, who was not hurt because he ducked and ran.

On Monday, the same jury will begin the penalty phase of the trial, after which it will determine whether Alexander should be executed or serve life in prison. He is eligible to receive the death penalty for being convicted of the special circumstances of killing the inspectors while they were on the job and committing multiple murders.

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Relatives of the slain inspectors wept as court clerk Kristi O'Hern read the verdicts. They lauded prosecutors and blasted Alexander's defense attorneys for accusing the victims of harassment and pushing him to the breaking point by enforcing regulations.

"Any such association is absolutely absurd and is the most vile and vicious type of slander we could ever imagine," said Sheri Lehman, 36, of Vinton, Iowa, one of Hillery's three daughters.

"We strongly believe this was an irresponsible defense strategy of merciless attacks on those who lost their lives that day," she said.

The seven-woman, five-man jury deliberated for about two days after an almost six-month trial before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Vernon Nakahara.

"We think justice has been served so far," said Assistant U.S. Attorney John "Jack" Laettner, who prosecuted the case with county Deputy District Attorney Paul Hora. "At least the jury saw it as we did."

District Attorney Tom Orloff said, "We're seeking the death penalty in this case. We have from the beginning." During the penalty phase, prosecutors said they plan to bring evidence of Alexander's past behavior.

Assistant Public Defender Michael Ogul said he hoped the jury would not sentence his client to death. "I think this jury knows that Stuart Alexander is not a predator," Ogul said. "He's not the worst of the worst. It serves no purpose to kill him."

In closing arguments, Hora said Alexander's security cameras, which captured the slayings, produced a "snuff film" that by itself was enough to convict him of premeditated murder.

Jurors were repeatedly shown the black-and-white footage, which showed in graphic detail how the three inspectors, already felled by gunfire, each received a final shot to the head.

But Deputy Public Defender Jason Clay said his client had never planned to kill the inspectors and argued that he wasn't thinking clearly because he activated his cameras before the shootings.

Much of the fireworks during the trial happened out of the presence of the jury. Ogul, known for his strident courtroom style, repeatedly asked the judge for a mistrial. At one point, he reportedly challenged Laettner to a fight in a hallway.

Quadros' brother, John Quadros of Fremont, attended every day of the trial, along with his wife, Kathy.

He said the jury's decision "validates the life choices that these people made." The job of meat inspector "doesn't pay well," Quadros said, yet the victims were dedicated to their jobs.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman agreed, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these brave public servants who were murdered mercilessly in the line of duty on June 21, 2000.

"They embodied the commitment to their profession and dedication to public service that is at the very core of our workforce," Veneman said.